When Calculating The Cost Of A Concrete Truck Scale, Consider The Price Of A High-Quality Sump Pump

For scrapyards, installing a concrete truck scale is a significant but necessary expense. According to Carlton Scale, truck scales cost anywhere from $35,000 to more than $100,000. Without a scale, though, it's impossible to weigh trucks and calculate how much metal they're dropping off. If you own a scrapyard and need a new truck scale, you'll want to get quotes from several companies because the scales are so expensive. You'll also want to get a quote on a high-quality sump pump to add to the price of the actual scale. Here's why.

Concrete Truck Scales Require Sump Pumps

Concrete truck scales sit flush with the ground, with their electrical components underneath them. Although these components are housed in protective cases, they must still be kept dry.

To ensure water doesn't flood the area and damage the scale's electronics, a drainage system is installed below the scale. Specific drainage system designs vary, but they usually use a combination of passive drain pipes and an active sump pump. The cost of the sump pump often is not included in the price of a concrete truck scale because it's technically a different piece of equipment.

In order to know how much putting in a concrete scale will truly cost, you'll need a quote on how much installing a sump pump will be.

You'll Want a High-Quality Sump Pump

After seeing the price of a concrete truck scale, you might be tempted to save as much money as possible on a sump pump. You shouldn't just have the cheapest sump pump you can find installed, though. If it breaks down, repairing it could be expensive for the following reasons:

• the job may take a long time because the pump is in a hard-to-reach area
• the ground could flood and damage more expensive components in the truck scale
• you might have to close your scrapyard down until the pump is operational again and your scale can be used

Instead, you should invest in a high-quality sump pump that will be reliable for a long time. Matthew Stock recommends looking for a sump pump that

• has a cast iron casing
• is equipped with a heavy-duty motor
• is designed so its float switch won't be caught on wires or the basin's side

As you seek out concrete truck scale quotes, also get estimates for installing a high-quality sump pump. Contact a sump pump installation service in your area to see how much this will add to your total bill so you can properly budget for your scrapyard's new scale. Visit a site like http://www.rite-waywaterproofing.com for more information.